Max is Back!

Just for the day!

Grandma and Hapa George sent Grace "The Elf on the Shelf - A Birthday Tradition" book for her birthday.  You are supposed to invite your elf to visit for your birthday.  We gave her the book Tuesday night, looked over his costume, and read the story that came with it.  And then headed to the almighty internet to invite Max back.

And guess what!  He came!

 And part of his birthday surprise  is decorating a special birthday chair!  Well done, Max!

Grace was thrilled to have him visit for the day, and both girls were sad to see him go!  I guess we'll be seeing him again in May!!

Making Gingerbread

Our first attempt at Gingerbread was a huge success!  The girls had fun cutting out and decorating!

Advent Calendar

This year, we had two Advent calendars.  One that the Rawlings gave us with cute little bears hiding behind each of the doors.  And the other was this one:

I originally saw it on a commercial while we were in France.  But when I saw it in the store (in France), it was really expensive.  Then one day, I saw it in a store in Belgium for half the price it was in France.  So it became ours.

Each day we got a new piece for our nature scene.  In typical European fashion, Santa, or St. Nicholas, or Sinterklaas came on the 6th and the Angel came on the 24th.

I think Grace really enjoyed doing it.  I know she did.  She's asked every night since the 24th if we can do the Advent calendar tonight.  We put the whole thing away this morning, but first I wanted to practice what I'm learning about taking pictures in manual mode.  My settings were, f/4, ISO 320, SS 1/15.  I have some work to do, but I'm learning.  :)

"Twas the Night Before Christmas

Making Cookies!

Grace and I made cookies this week.

First up were sugar cookies.  We made the dough and icing from scratch, and split the dough in half and did it two days in a row.

Grace had such a good time rolling the dough, cutting out the shapes, and decorating.

Also loved licking her spoon when we were done.

We also made spritz cookies.  No pictures of that endeavor though.  As usual, Audrey supervised.

Elf Yourself 2011

The Wizard of Oz

Sunday, Grace and I went to see the Wizard of Oz with Reese and her mom, Amanda and my friend Dani and her two kids, Natalie and JB.

It was put on by the Bruosella Symphony Orchestra, which is a group of amateur, professional, and ex-professional and student musicians.

Here is a link to the flyer:  http://www.bso-orchestra.be/images/BSO_ChildrensConcert2011.pdfConcert FlyerConcert Flyer

I thought it was really cute.  They introduced sections of the orchestra and different instruments.  During the intermission you could even go out in the lobby and play the instruments.  We didn't do that, but my friend Dani took her two - they are older - and they enjoyed it.

There was some acting - the characters were kids, too.  And also some ballet dancing.  Grace really enjoyed that.

I think we have a making of a new tradition - can't wait to see what next years show will be!

Happy St. Nicholas Day

December 6th is the feast day for St. Nicholas.  It is widely celebrated in Belgium, and typically when Santa or Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas brings the presents.  Christmas Day is reserved for celebration of the Christ child and spending time with family. 

So you have to read up on the traditions in Belgium:  Try this Wikipedia site  - Sinterklaas .  Pay close attention to Zwart Piet.  Liken him to the elves, if you will.  But he has been known to put bad little girls and boys in his sack and take them to Spain.  Oh my!  But really check out the Zwart Piet pictures.  That would not fly in the US.

We are taking a hybrid approach.  Our Santa will still come on Christmas Day.  But we will recognize Saint Nicholas with a small token gift and traditional Speculoos cookies.

From talking to people at work, Matt found out that the children put their shoes out for Saint Nicholas.  So we did, too.  Grace decided our faux fireplace was just the place.  Good thing we got Audrey those boots, or she wouldn't have any shoes to put out!!

Father Christmas at Harrods

We took the girls to see Father Christmas at Harrods.  I tried to talk to Grace quite a bit beforehand about sitting in his lap and telling him what she wanted for Christmas.  About 2 minutes before we went in to see him, Matt said...'I bet she doesn't sit in his lap."  And sure enough, when we got into the room with Father Christmas, Grace did ok walking up to him, but would not sit in his lap.  She stood in front of him, while he talked to her for awhile.  She did manage to tell him that she wanted a red race car for Christmas (news to Mommy and Daddy!!).  He gave her a special pin commemorating her visit to see him at Harrods, a story about the Gingerbread Man, and a gold chocolate coin.  I thought surely after all these gifts, she will sit on his lap for one picture......

 .......not so much!

 It is an improvement over last year.....  Here's a link to last years Santa attempts:


2010 Visits with Santa

St. Andrew's Santa


She edged a little closer to take a picture with her sister and Father Christmas....

Extreme Baby had no fear!

Trains

Train Flashback to last year: Christmas Train 2009

Elf Yourself

It's a tradition!

Elf Yourself!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas Train